In the digital age, influencers wield significant power, shaping trends and swaying millions of opinions with a single post. However, immense influence comes with a big responsibility, and the slightest misstep can lead to a downfall. This piece explores ten instances where influencers lost followers due to shocking and controversial actions.
From insensitive remarks to scandalous behavior, these instances serve as reminders of the importance of maintaining authenticity and ethical conduct in the public eye. Let’s dive into these surprising cases and learn from the mistakes of those who, for a moment, forgot the consequences of their public actions.
Logan Paul’s Insensitivity to Mental Health Issues
One such shocking incident involved the influencer Logan Paul, who faced massive backlash for his insensitivity toward mental health issues. In late 2017, Paul uploaded a video on his YouTube channel where he visited Japan’s infamous Aokigahara Forest, known for its high rate of suicides.
The video included footage of a deceased individual, apparently a victim of suicide, which Paul and his friends laughed at and made inappropriate comments about. There was widespread outrage after the blatant disrespect towards mental health and suicide victims. As a result, Paul lost many followers, tarnishing his reputation and underscoring the importance of mental health sensitivity.
Pewdiepie’s Anti-Semitic Content
One of the most notable instances of an influencer losing followers due to questionable actions is Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg, better known as PewDiePie. This popular YouTuber, who once had the highest number of subscribers on the platform, broadcast a video in 2017 where he paid two individuals to hold up a sign bearing an anti-Semitic message.
PewDiePie’s intention was to demonstrate the absurd lengths people would go to for money. Still, the content was widely regarded as offensive, leading him to lose many followers. The incident also resulted in a canceled partnership with Disney, serving as a stark reminder that influencers, no matter how large their following, are not immune to the consequences of inappropriate content.
Belle Delphine’s Toxic and Explicit Content
Belle Delphine’s notorious online persona drew a huge following, but her raunchy and toxic content caused her to lose it. She consistently pushed the boundaries of acceptable content, sometimes posting explicit material and engaging in lewd behavior. She also had a demeaning attitude towards her followers that many considered disrespectful.
The final straw for many was when she decided to sell her ‘gamer girl bath water,’ a stunt widely criticized for being unhygienic and objectifying. This inconsiderate and exploitative approach caused many of her followers to unfollow her, significantly decreasing her popularity and losing some of her sponsorships.
Emma Hallberg ‘Blackfishing’
Swedish influencer, Emma Hallberg, caused a significant uproar in 2018 when she was accused of “blackfishing,” or posing as an African-American to gain more followers and popularity. Hallberg, a white woman, consistently appeared with dark skin and traditionally black hairstyles on her Instagram posts.
Many followers were shocked to discover her true racial identity when a high school photo showed a much lighter skin tone. This controversy led to a significant loss of followers, as many considered her actions misleading and a form of cultural appropriation.
Belle Gibson’s ‘Magical’ Cure for Cancer
One of the most shocking cases that led to a massive drop in followers involves wellness influencer, Belle Gibson. Gibson gained fame and a large follower base by claiming she had beaten terminal brain cancer through a healthy diet without medical treatment. Her heartwarming story inspired many, and she quickly gained hundreds of thousands of followers.
However, her fans later discovered that Belle Gibson had fabricated the story. She had neither cancer nor had she cured any illness through her diet. This revelation resulted in an immediate exodus of followers who felt betrayed by her deceptive actions. Gibson’s case is a stark reminder of the potential dangers and deceit in the world of social media influencers.
Olivia Jade’s College Admission Scandal
Olivia Jade, a famous beauty influencer and daughter of “Full House” actress Lori Loughlin, got entangled in a major controversy that led to a significant loss of followers. The scandal, popularly known as the ‘College Admissions Scandal,’ came into the limelight in 2019.
Her fans discovered that her parents had paid $500,000 in bribes to ensure Olivia’s admission into the University of Southern California under the guise of a rowing team recruit, despite her never participating in the sport. This blatant example of privilege and entitlement triggered a massive backlash online, leading many followers to unfollow Olivia, tarnishing her reputation significantly.
Laura Lee’s Fat-Shaming Tweets
In 2018, a series of old tweets resurfaced in which Laura Lee was fat-shaming and making racially insensitive comments. The damaging content was entirely at odds with the image of positivity and acceptance Laura had carefully cultivated through her platform. The backlash was swift and severe, causing her to lose over half a million subscribers in a month.
Lee’s attempt at a public apology via a tearful YouTube video only seemed to exacerbate the situation, as it was deemed mainly insincere and manipulative by her followers. This incident is a stark reminder of the impact of past actions on a public figure’s reputation and the unforgiving nature of the internet.
Elle Darby’s Racist Remarks
Elle Darby, a popular lifestyle and travel vlogger, faced a significant backlash after making insensitive and racist remarks on social media. Darby’s reputation plummeted when she ignorantly made generalized comments about a particular racial group, causing a stir among her followers. Many of her fans were immediately taken aback by the remarks, prompting them to question her values and beliefs. This shocking incident led to a significant drop in her follower count, as many people chose to unfollow her to express their disapproval and disappointment over her racially insensitive comments.
Caroline Calloway Scamming Her Fans
A famous Instagram influencer, Caroline Calloway, experienced a significant drop in followers after managing a scam involving her fans. In 2019, she promoted a series of creative workshops to her followers, promising a day full of creative activities, personal connection, orchid crowns, and a homemade meal. She charged $165 per ticket, garnering substantial interest and monetary gain.
Unfortunately, the reality was far from the image she painted. Many attendees complained of unfulfilled promises, lack of organization, and overall poor value for the cost, eventually leading to a significant loss of trust and followers for Calloway. The experience is a stark reminder of the potential consequences influencers face when they fail to deliver on their promises to their audience.
Yovana Mendoza caught eating fish
Yovana Mendoza, better known as “Rawvana,” was a famous influencer promoting a raw vegan lifestyle to her followers. However, in 2019, she shocked her community when she was caught on camera eating fish during a vacation.
This incident resulted in massive backlash as she was accused of hypocrisy and misleading her followers, leading to a significant decline in her followership. Her attempt to explain that she had to incorporate animal products into her diet due to health issues did little to salvage her online reputation.
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